Baltimore Ravens Should Pass on All-Pro Defensive End

It has been an offseason to forget for the Baltimore Ravens and the most recent rumors are starting to worry me. Apparently, the Ravens are interested in an array of defensive ends who are well past their prime.

Baltimore is completely depleted at linebacker with Paul Kruger and Dernell Ellerbe leaving for heftier contracts already this offseason. Not to mention, this team will be without defensive captain and middle linebacker Ray Lewis. Rather than explore options at linebacker this NFL free agency period, the team is interested in washed-up defensive ends like Osi Umenyiora.

In his nine years with the New York Giants, Umenyiora solely played defensive end and was a pass-rushing menace for the better part of seven seasons. Unfortunately, he has worn out his welcome with the Giants and is still on the free agent market for a reason. Other teams have also shown interest in the two time All-Pro, but none of them have the holes at linebacker that the Ravens do.

Signing Umenyiora would only hinder the progression of Arthur Jones and Pernell McPhee who both have the ability to record double-digit sacks in the coming seasons at the defensive end position. The Ravens are in rebuilding mode as they have lost four defensive starters from the team that won Super Bowl XLVII.

General manager Ozzie Newsome has made some drastic changes already this free agency period, however, he can ill-afford to give a contract to defensive ends who are years past their prime. This goes for Dwight Freeney, James Harrison and Elvis Dumervil who the Ravens have all shown interest in.